Marcus Foth
Creative Industries Research and Applications Centre &
Australasian CRC for Interaction Design
Queensland University of Technology, Australia
m.foth@qut.edu.au

Current literature stresses the significance of networks and network theory in both social as
well as technical domains. Not only is the role of networked technologies (such as mobile
phones and the internet) in everyday life being scrutinized, but network theory is re-shaping
an understanding of how social change and community interaction occurs. In this paper, I
build on these developments to propose Network Action Research as a methodological
variant of the action research family. I propose that Network Action Research is a timely and
appropriate research methodology to guide studies that involve people, place and technology
and to meet the challenges that stem from the changing nature of community interaction and
social formations in the light of the emerging Network Society. I outline how technology can
be used to operationalise and support Network Action Research. Examples from the field are
used to illustrate aspects of the methodology.

Current literature draws attention to the significance of networks, social networks, technical
networks, the process of networking and the design of network applications on almost all
areas of society including science, economy and community. Scientists such as Barabási
(2003) and Watts (2003) extend the field of application for network theory beyond pure
science and technology by offering an extensive overview of how processes such as market
transactions, business operations, viral infections and social behaviour between people can be
described as networks. Castells (2000) coins the term ‘Network Society’ for the changing

for achieving a deeper understanding in areas other than science and technology, scholars
have started to acknowledge the significance of networks in the epistemology of their home
discipline such as in the arts and humanities (Keane, 2004), urban studies (Mitchell, 2003)
and community development (Gilchrist, 2004). Technology and networks, especially the
internet, have become part of everyday life – at least in more developed parts of the world
(Wellman & Haythornthwaite, 2002). The ubiquity of the internet and the spread of mobile
phones and other network technologies afford communication patterns that change the
character and quality of community interaction and engagement.

In this paper, I suggest that action researchers will benefit from a debate around the issues
of a view that considers the network qualities of community and the implications it has on
action research. I will expose the relevance and capacity of using action research in the nexus
of people, place and technology and discuss the shifting quality of community as networks as
well as the challenges for action researchers that emerge from this shift. I propose Network
Action Research as a methodological variation that has the potential to address those
challenges. To provide empirical support and examples from the field, I will introduce
examples drawn from two case studies: An investigation of social networks in inner-city